Energy. Environment. Economy.

8 fracking protesters arrested at Wolf inauguration

As the Harrisburg reporter for StateImpact Pennsylvania, Marie Cusick covers energy and environmental issues for public radio stations statewide. She’s also part of NPR’s energy and environment team, which coordinates coverage between the network and select member station reporters around the country. Her work frequently airs on NPR shows including Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Weekend Edition. Since 2012, Marie has closely followed the political, social, environmental, and economic effects of Pennsylvania’s natural gas boom. Her work has been recognized at the regional and national levels– honors include a Sigma Delta Chi Award from the Society of Professional Journalists and a national Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association. Previously, Marie was a multimedia reporter for WMHT in Albany, New York and covered technology for the station’s statewide public affairs TV show, New York NOW. In 2018, she became StateImpact’s first FAA-licensed drone pilot.

Marie Cusick/ StateImpact Pennsylvania

An anti-fracking protester was led away by police after he shouted at Governor Wolf during his inauguration speech.

Anti-fracking protesters followed through on their promise to disrupt Governor Tom Wolf’s inauguration ceremony Tuesday. Eight people were arrested after they interrupted Wolf’s speech by shouting and whistling from the audience– urging him to ban fracking.

Six of the people arrested were Pennsylvania citizens. One was from Ohio and another person was from New Jersey. All were charged with disorderly conduct by the Capitol Police. Several hundred more protesters were kept about 100 yards away from the ceremony and loudly chanted “Ban fracking now!” throughout the program.

Wolf addressed the activists directly in his speech, saying that Pennsylvania is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, including gas.

“To the protesters here today, I say: help me develop these opportunities in a way that is clean, safe and sustainable.”

Marie Cusick/ StateImpact Pennsylvania.

Tom Wolf was sworn in as the 47th governor of Pennsylvania Tuesday.\

That was the only mention Wolf made of natural gas in his speech. The Democrat ran on a pledge to enact a five percent extraction tax on gas and recently said he wants his administration to be a partner with the drilling industry to help it succeed.

Despite Wolf’s positions, anti-fracking activists remain hopeful they can make their case to him. They recently formed a new coalition called Pennsylvanians Against Fracking in an effort to push for a statewide ban.

“We believe that we’re dealing with somebody who is open to reality and who wants to make the right decisions,” Delaware Riverkeeper Maya van Rossum says of Wolf.

“Even though there’s not 1,000 people here, like the last time we were in Albany, you’re seeing the beginnings of that process,” says Wes Gillingham of Catskill Mountainkeeper. “We’re trying to start the dialogue so the movement grows.”

Filmmaker Josh Fox, who made the anti-fracking documentary Gasland, said that even though Pennsylvania’s political landscape differs from New York, he’s hopeful.

“Call me optimistic, but I’ve always believed the truth will prevail,” he said.

Note: this story has been updated to reflect the following clarification. Although the Pennsylvania State Police detained the protesters, they were formally arrested and charged by the Capitol Police.